1. The Law proposed (Exodus 19:3-8)
   1. Grace exchanged for Law
      • Exodus 19:4 -- "I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto Myself"
      • Exodus 19:5 -- "If ye will"
      • Exodus 19:8 -- "We will do"

      The Law was proposed and accepted by a people who were, up to this point, under free grace (verse 4). Blessing now depends on the "if" of verse 5, and the "we will" of verse 8.

   2. The first effect of the "we will"
      • Exodus 19:9-13 -- "Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud... whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death"
      Here death is already linked with the Law (see 2Corinthians 3:7-9; Galatians 3:10).
2. The Law given (Exodus 20)
   1. The environment
      • Exodus 19:16-18 -- "Thunders... lightnings... thick cloud... whole mount quaked."
        Compare to the mount of grace, Calvary (Luke 23:44,45).
   2. The Law given (Exodus 20-39)
      1. The Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
         • The Commandments express the righteous will of God. They constitute a standard, "holy, and just, and good" (Romans 7:12).
      2. The Judgments (Exodus 21-24)
         • The Judgments govern the social life of Israel, fixing the relations and rights of the people.
      3. The Ordinances (Exodus 24-31)
         • The Ordinances govern the religious life of Israel. These are further expanded in the book of Leviticus.

         These three elements form "the Law," which is a phrase commonly used in the New Testament (see Matthew 5:17,18; John 1:17).

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